First of all, I wish to express my appreciation to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for organizing this event, at such an opportune moment. We also welcome all of the distinguished panelists and appreciate their thoughts and insights into this issue as we continue to negotiate the Rio+20 Outcome Document. Mr. Chairman, The Maldives has been an ardent supporter of human rights, and that support is as unwavering now as it has ever been. Our work in the Human Rights Council, in collaboration with other Member States, the High Commissioner’s Office and other NGOs reflects this commitment and we look forward to further strengthening this cooperation with the OHCHR in the future. For the Maldives as a small island developing state, the issues of sustainable development, environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Therefore, a human rights based approach to sustainable development has been an integral part of our international discourse. The Maldives has taken the lead in the Human Rights Council on exploring, understanding, and leveraging the linkages between human rights and the environment, and human rights and climate change. In our case, environmental degradation and the unsustainable economic activities of other countries threaten the Maldives’ right to self-determination exacerbating the damage to its vulnerable marine eco-systems and accelerating sea-level rise, which the Maldives cannot sustain should these trends continue. We, therefore, strongly support further discussion and urge for the inclusion of the reaffirmation of human rights principles in the Rio+20 outcome document, both generally and specifically where it may apply. There are some areas where the linkages between human rights and sustainable development are beyond dispute – for example the rights to adequate food; to safe and clean drinking water; to health; the right to adequate housing and the right to development – we believe these areas and others like them should be given specific mention within the Rio Outcome document. We also support the inclusion of language strengthening the role of women in development, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and expanding the opportunities for all to equally participate in public affairs. Mr. Chairman, We strongly believe that agreed international norms and standards on human rights must be reflected in the outcome document. In order to ensure that the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goals is upheld by Member States, accountability and transparency must play a prominent role within domestic safeguards and monitoring mechanisms. It is extremely important to outline that the fundamental rights of persons, are respected in country’s economic developmental trajectories. We therefore welcome the leadership, and vision provided by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay for her initiative on this matter. I am sure that today’s event would provide the international community with an open message on the importance of the inter-linkages between human rights and sustainable development, as we all prepare for Rio+20 in June. Thank you.
